Just Desserts

Page 35

“Business free, too,” she pointed out, but she refused to be bitter about it. This was the best she could do, without Sebastian’s money, and the insurance company had agreed to reduce the outstanding bill to an even two hundred grand.
Lucky for her, the buyer had given her enough to pay off the insurance bills and the few outstanding bills she had due to vendors.
Other than that, all she had left was ten grand in savings. It was enough to keep her head above water, until her catering business took off again. This time without a storefront. Instead, she’d be conducting business out of her apartment.
Guess she was getting back to her roots, like her momma had done for so many years. And just like her mother, she’d be raising a child by herself too.
“That’s all we need. I’ll have what’s leftover of the check deposited into your account.” Her lawyer stood, extending his hand.
“Thank you.” She rose and shook it, then walked out of his office.
The spring day was bright and cloudless, birds chirping happily as she made her way to her car. A strange feeling of someone watching her washed over, and she glanced quickly to her right, but no one was there.
Shaking her head, she unlocked her car and got in. Her mind was really playing tricks on her. While her heart…her heart refused to listen to her mind. Her heart continued to love Sebastian Romanov. Her heart was clearly an idiot that needed therapy.
And she needed to cook something, for about a million people, to feel better about how things ended between them.
With a sigh, she started up her engine and headed home.
Sebastian glanced down at his notes, then back at the Board. “Our second quarter earnings rose by three percent, outpacing predictions and shoring up holdings. Consumer confidence rose as well, stock in Romanov Industries is currently selling on the American Exchange at Eighty-five and a half.” He took a drink of water and waited for their reaction, bored out of his mind.
Liam sat on his right. “Brilliant work,” he said, and the six other members nodded their heads in unison. “On schedule for next month’s meeting—we will take a vote on reinstating Mr. Romanov as President. Any further questions?”
A chorus of no’s and after two rounds of back patting and handshaking, the Board left the room. Liam closed the door behind the last one and loosened his tie. “Drinks. I’m thinking seven-thirty, at Percy’s new place.”
“The one on St. James that doesn’t have an entrance?” Sebastian asked, clearing his app of notes. Two weeks. It had been two weeks since he’d seen Daisy, since he’d talked to her, since he’d texted her. Since he’d been inside of her.
He swallowed.
No use in thinking of her. Just this morning she had signed the child support agreement and had emailed it back to him, with no other communication included in the reply.
He’d done what was best for Daisy, for the baby too. Even if he had had to lie in order to send her away. Even if he was the most miserable he’d ever been in his life. Nothing appealed to him. Most nights he stayed in his townhouse, locked in his room, vodka his only company.
Ivan barely spoke to him and Boris, who never said a word, glowered more than usual.
“Earth to Sebastian,” Liam said, snapping his fingers in front of Sebastian’s nose.
“Watch it,” he snapped.
“Are you in or out? I’m leaving for Monaco this evening at eleven.” He wriggled his brows. “Plan on surprising Verity with this trip. Strictly business, of course.”
“Of course.” He slipped his phone into his coat pocket and followed Liam into the hallway. “I’ll meet you there, outside. But if I can’t find the entrance, I’m leaving.”
Liam punched him in the arm. “Text me when you get there.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Sebastian said with a curt bow.
“None of that here.” Liam pulled a face. “I’m plain Mr. Stewart and you’re my employer.”
“Then get back to work before I fire your arse, Mr. Stewart.”
Liam saluted him. “Much better.” He strode away, hands finding his pockets.
Sebastian opened the door to his office, intent on pouring himself a cuppa, when he noticed it was already occupied.
“Christian?”
His brother stood at the window, still in his coat. “The wedding’s been moved up.”
“Oh?” Sebastian moved to his desk, clicking on his calendar. “When? I’ll adjust my schedule—”
“Zoe’s pregnant.”
Sebastian’s gaze slid to his brother’s face. It was pale. “You’re not happy?”
“I’m scared as hell.” Christian plopped down in the nearest chair and ran a hand over his face. “Me, someone’s father? You know I’ll screw it up somehow.”
“Actually, I don’t know that.”
“You’ve met our parents.” Christian steepled his hands together, pressing them against his mouth. “We are destined to mess up our children. It’s in our DNA.”
Sebastian closed the calendar and came from around the desk to sit in the chair opposite his twin. A part of him still couldn’t believe that Christian needed him of all people. He’d chosen to seek him out. It had to mean something. He hoped like hell that it meant something. “It’s in every parent’s DNA to mess up.”
His twin gave him a skeptical look. “Levels, Bastian, levels. I’m predicting mine to be at DefCon One.”
Sebastian leaned forward in his chair. “Just the fact you’re worried means you’ll be a better father than the one we had. Just the fact you’re faithful to your wife and put her above everything means you’ve already given the finger to Vladimir’s legacy.”
“You’re so full of shit,” Christian said, letting his hands fall from his face.
“Forgive me for making an effort to reassure my brother,” Sebastian snapped.
“Reassure me? More like lie to me.” Christian’s jaw worked. “You think you’re just like him.”
“As you have reminded me often over the years, so do you,” Sebastian said, his hands automatically fisting. “Can we ever have a civil conversation?”
“Sure we can—as soon as you’re willing to be honest.” The color had returned to his twin’s cheeks and for that, Sebastian was thankful. He hated to see Christian in pain—emotional or physical.
Sebastian flicked his hands out. “Fine.”
“Give me your word that no matter what, you’ll be completely truthful.”
Jaw flexing, Sebastian bit out, “You have my word.”
“Excellent.” Christian grinned, and then his face turned serious. “Did you really only set out to repair our relationship in order to become President again?”
“No.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Do tell.”
Sebastian exhaled. “I’ve wanted to fix things between us for years now, but my pride wouldn’t allow it. The whole improve-your-image scheme was the excuse I needed.”
“Damn your pride,” Christian said with a shake of his head. “And damn mine as well. Final question.”
“Only two?”
“Best not to overwhelm you.”
A sort of odd tension left Sebastian’s heart, replaced by the burgeoning relationship with his brother. “Go on then.”
“It’s a two-part question.” Christian flashed a smile. “The first part—do you love Daisy Barnes?”
Sebastian stared at him. Love, not loved. Or even were you in love.
“Remember: The Truth will set you free,” Christian added.
“Yes, I love Daisy,” he admitted.
“Good job,” Christian said softly. “The second part—why in the hell did you send her away?”
Glancing down at his hands, Sebastian sorted through his lists of reasons why he’d sent her away from him, then, “Because I thought Francesca was right about me. I thought Daisy deserved better than some bloke who couldn’t put her before everything else in his life. Not even when it counted.”
“You listened to our egg donor?” Christian snapped and Sebastian jerked up his head. “She’s a self-righteous witch who’s been playing the poor-pitiful-me act for years. Once a month Zoe gets a phone call from the woman and talks to her for hours, because I refuse to give Francesca the time of day. She made her decision, Sebastian.”
“She was a woman who suffered through an abusive marriage.”
“And that gives her the right to be abusive to you how?”
Sebastian shook his head, trying to make his twin understand. “It doesn’t but she loves you, though. Maybe you should see her. She wants to have a relationship with you.”
“Whatever. She’s low on cash, since Vladimir died and left her out of his will. The duke refuses to give her anymore than her weekly stipend, despite her claims that he cut her off years ago.” Christian stretched out his legs. “Besides, any relationship that comes with strings attached, isn’t the kind I’m interested in having. I’ve got all the family I need.” He tilted his head to one side and bit his lip. “Well, my family will grow a bit in about six months, but you know what I mean.”
Now wasn’t the time to tell his brother that he wouldn’t be far behind in expanding his own. Instead, Sebastian cleared his throat. “Am I a part of that family?”
“What do you think?”
“I wouldn’t have asked, you bloody git, if I knew,” Sebastian grumbled.
His brother stood, holding out his arms. “Come give us a hug.”
“I’m not the hugging type.” But he stood anyway and kind of lurched toward his brother.
“Luckily for you I am.” Then Christian grabbed him and nearly squeezed his internal organs out of his body. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you as well,” Sebastian said softly, his voice breaking over the last word.
Christian stepped back, releasing him from his hold. “Now, about Daisy. You will be at the wedding, yes? It’s actually next weekend. Will that be a problem?”
Sebastian straightened his tie, adjusted his cuff links, and smoothed his jacket before answering. He needed every extra second he could get to compose himself, before he blurted everything to his brother. “Of course it’s not a problem. I’ve best man duties, but I’m not sure if Daisy can forgive me.”
“But you do plan on trying?”
“I thought question and answer time were over?”
“Humor me.”
“Yes, I bloody plan on trying and winning.” Sebastian flashed an easy grin, though on the inside he wasn’t quite so confident. “I’m a Romanov, for God’s sake.”
“Yeah…about that—”
“Too much?”
Christian held thumb and forefinger out, almost pressing them together. “Just a little.” He clapped Sebastian on the back. “No worries though. I shall assist you in wooing your lady back into your arms.”
Sebastian made a face. “Think I’ll pass.”
“But we’re brothers.”
“I’ve standards.”
“Suit yourself.” His twin shrugged. “See you on Thursday? You’re welcome to stay with us. Although, I think my mother-in-law is making Zoe move out until after the ceremony, for good luck or something that goes along with weddings.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Brilliant.” Christian strode to the door, calling out over his shoulder, “Cheers.”
“Hang on a minute,” Sebastian said and Christian paused. “Zoe isn’t pregnant, is she? This was some big scheme of yours to…to…” He didn’t know what exactly, but his brother was an actor—a brilliant one at that—and had gone from scared shitless to overconfident arse in a matter of minutes.
“To make things right with my brother?” Christian asked.
“Ah-ha! Wait…what?” Sebastian asked.
His brother rolled his eyes. “She is pregnant and I did need someone to talk to. Who better than my big brother? See you next Thursday.” With that, Christian opened the door and strolled out, leaving Sebastian standing there, staring after him.
He stared at the door, long after it closed. This was it, his opportunity to make everything right with all the people he loved.
His phone buzzed. A text from Liam.
Mark your calendar full for next week. We’ve meetings lasting into the weekend with Chen Software. Seal this deal and you’re in.
This account was even bigger than the last. Bowing out of negotiations, even for family, would be looked upon unfavorably. Romanov Industries needed him to get this account.
There were no guarantees that his new relationship with his brother would last. Hell, by next week, they could be at each other’s throats and ready for blood.
As for Daisy, that was an even longer shot at success. He’d hurt her—really, really hurt her—with his thoughtful lies. With the manufactured webpage he’d built. With the bit about Kate. With everything.
Every night he made himself relive their last conversation and the shattered look on her face. How it was drawn tight with pain. Her full lips trembling when he’d rejected everything she had to offer, including their child, by firmly placing himself in the absentee father role
He wanted to be more than that. He wanted everything life had to offer him. And his everything in life was Daisy and their unborn baby.